Soil physical properties as influenced by different agroforestry systems in Haryana

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted out at Research Farm, Department of forestry, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar to assess the influence of different agroforestry system on dynamic soil physical parameters. Soil samples were collected randomly from varying depths viz. 0-15, 15-30, 30-60 and 60-90 cm from different agroforestry system viz. Poplar + wheat, Eucalyptus + barley, Melia + wheat, Shisham + mustard, wheat, barley and mustard. Analysis of different physical properties was done at all depths except infiltration rate. Infiltration rate was observed at surface depth (0-15 cm) only. Soil texture, being a static property was not found to be affected by agroforestry system. Non-significant effect was observed in case of soil texture among different agroforestry system. Poplar + wheat recorded maximum infiltration rate which was at par with Eucalyptus + barley, Melia+ wheat and Shisham + mustard agroforestry system. Saturated hydraulic conductivity was maximum under Eucalyptus + barley based agroforestry system. Theresult of the study showed that tree-based agroforestry system can significantly improve the soil physical properties.